[got]The Best VPN Services Of 2025: Expert Tested And Reviewed[/gpt3]

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt your data and hide your IP address. But there is far more to VPNs than that: They are essential security tools to stop others from spying on you online.

A VPN is vital when you are traveling or using public Wi-Fi networks. They forge an encrypted tunnel between your device and the service you are trying to access, which can prevent eavesdropping, data theft, and tracking.

While VPNs are not a silver bullet for security, they are invaluable in keeping your browsing activities hidden by routing traffic through the VPN provider’s server network. VPNs also assign you an IP in a different area, allowing you to circumvent blocks that prevent you from accessing content locked to specific locations, such as TV and film libraries licensed by streaming services.

Also: Best malware removers of 2025 and best free software uninstallers

Furthermore, some VPNs also offer additional privacy features, including ad-blocking, data breach scanners, password managers, and threat monitoring.

What is the best VPN service right now?

Our pick for the best overall VPN is NordVPN. Based in Panama and subject to strict data protection laws, NordVPN is a top contender in the VPN space. NordVPN offers the full package: fast speeds, stable connections, an expansive server network, and excellent streaming capabilities. It’s not the cheapest VPN available — starting at $3.39 per month — but if you want a solid VPN for the foreseeable future that is suitable for most use cases and is backed by solid customer support, NordVPN is for you.

Our second pick is ExpressVPN, a secure and easy to use VPN. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest options around, although it’s on the pricier end.

The ZDNET team has decades of experience in the VPN arena. We’ve tested all the best VPNs on the market, rigorously evaluating them through frequent speed tests and ranking them based on the number of servers, security features, price, and more.

Read on to find the best VPN for you in 2025.

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The best VPNs of 2025

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NordVPN is one of the most widely used VPNs, and for most users, it ticks all the boxes. It’s secure, fast, suitable for streaming, and has all the features you’ll likely need.

We’ve found it’s one of the fastest VPNs with the most consistent speeds and rapid connectivity, although rival ExpressVPN is slightly faster.

In our tests with Netflix, NordVPN emerged as a top VPN for streaming content with a high success rate of accessing geo-blocked content. When setup with the Privacy Hero 2 router, it also did exceptionally well in accessing streaming services.

NordVPN offers many features beyond the basics, including support for peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing and an option for a second layer of encryption through Double VPN, which lets you set up a dedicated IP address to run a VPN that also acts as a server. In January, the company launched NordWhisper, a new protocol designed to allow users to connect to VPN servers from networks that typically limit traditional VPN traffic and have restrictive network policies.

NordVPN also has a kill switch that activates if your connection suddenly drops, protecting your connection and data. In its fifth independent audit, NordVPN says its no-logs policy has been confirmed.

Review: NordVPN: Consistent speed and performance

NordVPN is compatible with all major platforms. NordVPN provides a server network of 111 countries, allowing you to connect 10 devices simultaneously to its service under one account.

Subscription costs are on the expensive side, and prices can change daily. Still, customers enjoy its consistent, speedy service for home use and travel.

You can pick between three types of plans with two-year, one-year, or one-month contract terms, depending on whether you want advanced features such as a password manager, data breach scanner, cloud storage, or file encryption.

Prices start at $3.39 per month on a two-year plan or $5 per month for a one-year subscription. A month of service costs $13. Premium plans — Plus, Complete, and Prime — with advanced features come with six months to a full year of free access.

Alternatively, you can try out NordVPN for a month and take advantage of the organization’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

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ExpressVPN is our top choice for the fastest VPN service. It’s one of the most popular VPN providers, offering a wide range of platforms, and is well-regarded and trusted. The service has an expansive network with servers in 105 countries.

Customers say it delivers a speedy and consistent connection, and we agree. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are well-matched in speed, but we’ve found that ExpressVPN often comes above its closest competitor during speed tests.

The company doesn’t log your browsing history, IP address, or traffic destination and operates a no-logs policy. In ExpressVPN’s latest transparency report, the firm received 163 government, law enforcement, and civil requests for user data, one warrant, and over 800,000 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) requests but says no user information was handed over.

Compatible platforms include Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire OS, and tvOS. The service also works with Linux, which has been recently updated with a graphical user interface (GUI). Considering the high price point of the subscriptions, however, we would like to see ExpressVPN support unlimited simultaneous connections in the future instead of just eight.

ExpressVPN is also the developer of Aircove, a router product line with ExpressVPN built in, saving you the legwork if you want blanket coverage for all your home devices. Alternatively, you can manually set up ExpressVPN to work with gaming consoles and TVs that do not natively support VPN apps, but you may need to install the VPN directly on your router.

Review: ExpressVPN: Is it worth the price?

While customer service is friendly and polite, they persist in customer retention, so you’ll need to set aside some time if you wish to cancel after 30 days.

Typically, subscriptions begin at $6.67 per month on a 12-month plan. However, ExpressVPN’s current promotion allows new users to subscribe to a two-year plan for $5 per month, plus four months of free service are added to the length of the contract. Alternatively, if you opt for the usual $6.67 per month price, you will be given one year of access with three months free.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has also recently begun to accept Google Pay and Apple Pay.

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Surfshark should be on your radar if you are looking for an affordable, secure VPN.

In our Surfshark VPN review and testing, we found this VPN offers reasonable speeds and a decent server network. It’s not the fastest option or the quickest to initially connect, but the cheap price point provides excellent value for money.

There were also no data leaks, which is precisely what you want to see from a quality VPN. Surfshark prioritizes security with AES-256-GCM, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and RSA-2048 encryption. The organization also upholds a no-logs policy, although this was last audited in 2023.

With 100 countries in its server network, you have plenty of locations to choose from, making this VPN a good choice for streaming content at home or abroad.

Also: NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which is better?

We like its add-on features, such as anti-tracking, a search engine that doesn’t log your information, and a scanner that searches data breach lists for your email. However, you can find more advanced security features with some other VPN providers. With Surfshark’s multi-hop option, you can also connect through two VPN servers. Customers say that the support team is excellent and quick to respond.

The cheapest option, a two-year subscription called Surfshark Starter, costs only $2.19/month. Alternatively, you can sign up for one year and pay $3.19 per month or $15.45 for just one month of access. One- and two-year contracts include three months of free access and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Private Internet Access is an excellent option if you need a VPN long-term and support for multiple devices. The service offers unlimited simultaneous connections and is compatible with various operating systems and devices.

PIA offers excellent security, too, given that it’s open source. Much of the VPN’s code can be examined and audited publicly, which is always desirable when trusting your security to a third-party vendor. A strict no-logs policy also exists, and PIA publishes frequent transparency reports.

PIA’s network isn’t the largest, with only 91 country options available, but customers note that the VPN is quick to install and simple to use. However, our testing found that server upload speeds can be slow.

PIA includes a free email breach monitor. Other features we like are the “snooze” button if you need to temporarily turn off the VPN and a tab displaying security elements, including port connections, protocols, and data encryption standards in use. You can also opt for a dedicated IP address or an antivirus scanner as a part of your package.

Review: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access offers two plans, including a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month, making it a very affordable VPN. If you want to try out the VPN for a shorter period, you can sign up for $7.50 per month for six months. The best deal is the two-year subscription, as you also get two months of free access.

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Proton is a Swiss company. Under the slogan “privacy by default,” the organization is focused on developing services — including encrypted email and a VPN — to enhance the privacy of activists, journalists, and the public.

Proton VPN has a solid approach to security, layering robust protocols on top of perfect forward secrecy and encryption. Not only does Proton VPN have a kill switch, but it also provides torrenting support and Wireguard and includes an ad blocker.

All of Proton’s apps are open-source, there’s a no-logs policy, and the company reports that it is independently audited. The firm has also created its own protocol, Stealth, which has been designed to circumvent censorship blocks.

Review: Proton VPN

Proton offers a free VPN service that is supported by paid users. It allows one machine to connect without bandwidth limits and provides access to servers across five countries. We don’t typically recommend using free VPNs, but if you want a service for casual browsing, you should consider this one. Unlike many less reputable free VPN services, it will not sell your information.

Alternatively, if you want access to Proton VPN’s full server network of 117 countries and over 11,000 servers, you will need to opt for a paid plan.

Customers like Proton’s attitude to security and privacy. We find it easy to use, and the speeds are reasonable. Although Trustpilot ratings are low, the feedback primarily relates to the firm’s free plan limitations and customer support system.

The best deal is $3.59 per month on a two-year plan. A one-year plan is priced at $4 per month, or you can opt for one month of access for $10. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Best VPN service	Price	Kill switch	Countries	Simultaneous connections
NordVPN	$3.39 per month on a two-year plan	Yes	111	10
ExpressVPN	$5 per month on a two-year plan	Yes	105	8
Surfshark VPN	$2.19 per month on a two-year plan	Yes	100	Unlimited
Private Internet Access	$2.19 per month on a two-year plan	Yes	91	Unlimited
Proton VPN	Free or $3.59 per month on a two-year contract	Yes	117	1-10, varies by plan

We ran a series of speed and connectivity tests in February 2025 on each VPN’s paid service to see how they compare.

We performed the tests using a broadband connection in the U.K. with an average starting speed, without a VPN, of 56.23 Mbps download and 17.4 Mbps upload. Yes, they are terrible, but they are the best the U.K. currently offers where I live. We also tested for the presence of domain name service (DNS) leaks.

Please remember that results may differ for you and vary from country to country, so the below should be considered a snapshot. Your internet service provider (ISP) and broadband subscription may also impact your speeds. For example, the starting speed is a snail’s pace compared to some US offerings.

The below results are not the exact speeds you should expect. You can instead use these results to get a general idea of how your speeds could change with a VPN. Remember that the further away the VPN server, the more your speed may be impacted. Speeds will typically be quicker when you connect to a local server, compared to selecting Australia, for example, unless you’re in Australia.

Choose this top VPN service…	If you want…
NordVPN	The best VPN overall. NordVPN isn’t the cheapest service, but it remains one of the most consistently fast and stable connection providers. It’s great for streaming and travel, too, with a great user interface on PC and mobile.
ExpressVPN	A robust, fast server network. We’ve used ExpressVPN for years, and we consider it one of the fastest and least obtrusive services available. You can expect multi-platform support and relatively minor speed downgrades when you are streaming. However, it isn’t cheap.
Surfshark VPN	The least expensive top VPN. Surfshark is a consistent player in our top VPN lists, and for good reason. It might not always be the fastest, but for the price point, you can’t argue against its value for money.
Private Internet Access	Unlimited simultaneous connections. Private Internet Access is a great choice if you want a set-and-forget, affordable VPN that can support and protect as many devices as you like — but the interface won’t suit everyone.
Proton VPN	A variety of add-on features and the comfort of open-source security. Proton VPN also offers a free plan and is one of the most privacy-focused VPN services out there.

These are the most important factors to consider when selecting a new VPN service.

Speed: Every VPN performs differently, and every user experience differs. Your ISP will offer speeds that are not the same as someone in another location. Your favorite coffee shop has a different network connection than our local haunts. So, when you are testing a new VPN, keep your base speed in mind. Look out for VPN solutions with minimal speed loss.
Apps: VPN providers should offer compatibility for multiple platforms and operating systems. Take a look at the user interfaces, features, and compatibility offered by your chosen VPN provider before you commit.
Simultaneous connections: If you’re paying for a VPN, you might want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop PC, smartphone, or smart TV. We recommend you sign up for a plan supporting at least six devices, and thankfully, most paid plans now offer at least this number.
Trial periods: Before committing to a VPN provider, test them out — that’s what money-back guarantees are for. Remember that most VPN providers will give you 30 days to cancel and secure a refund. Some even offer up to 45 days.
Free VPN providers: Running a VPN is expensive, and if the VPN provider doesn’t make money from your service fees, they’re going to make money from your data — sometimes even by selling your personal information. Stick with the trusted commercial vendors we’ve tested or the handful of free plans we recommend. There are also cases where “free” VPNs undermine what the software is designed for — data protection and security.
Contract terms: VPN providers constantly offer discounts, typically on longer-term plans, so you need to consider the fine print before you sign up. Remember to cancel before automatic renewal if you’re no longer happy with the service or want to switch to a cheaper deal elsewhere.
Use cases: Your VPN selection should relate to how you want to use a VPN. For example, you may want one specifically for streaming geo-locked content, or you may need a VPN that is likely to work in restricted countries. Consider these points before making your final choice and test them out during your money-back-guarantee time period to ensure the VPN is right for you.
Advanced features: You might like the idea of bundling your new VPN with antivirus software, a data breach alert tool, or a password manager. Check out the advanced features offered under different plans to make the right choice.

How to use a VPN

expressvpn-windows-5 — Charlie Osborne | ZDNET

If you’re interested in using a VPN, setting up the service will depend on the VPN provider, your contract, and the devices you want to protect. To set up a VPN, you will first need to subscribe to a VPN service and download the VPN software. You can visit the VPN service’s official website, or you may receive a download link through email. Alternatively, visit Google Play or the App Store for mobile app options.

Open the software, provide any associated permissions the VPN needs, and sign in using your credentials.

Choose a server location and connect to the VPN. In this example, you can select ExpressVPN’s “…” button to select a server from its list of countries. The majority of VPNs will give you a “smart” location set as default, typically located close to home.

Also: Best VPNs for Smart TVs

It’s that simple! Of course, you can check out your VPN’s settings and tailor your experience to your liking. However, for many users, sticking to default options and having a few favorite servers will be enough.

We tested and analyzed the best VPNs in 2025 using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:

Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags. We frequently conduct speed tests to stay up to date and informed of any service changes.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least six simultaneous connections.
Security: There’s no point using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from using an unprotected connection. This is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well given these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming.
Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive mobile apps.
Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee, and many will offer mobile users a seven-day trial.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

VPN is an acronym for virtual private network, which lets you browse the internet privately and connect securely to open or public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN allows you to change your virtual location by redirecting the connection through one of its servers worldwide. A VPN encrypts your traffic, hiding you from hackers, internet service providers, and governments.

If your online activities are being monitored at the ISP level — say, by a government — they may recognize the signature of a VPN, even if exactly what you are doing is hidden.

VPNs are useful in unblocking geo-restricted content and can be vital tools for accessing information in countries with repressive governments. They are important services for anyone who wants to maintain a high level of safety and privacy online. Because they are anonymous — or at least should be — they can also be used to hide illegal online activities, such as pirating content.

A fully functional VPN should protect your privacy and mask your location and IP address. If you’re unsure if your VPN is working correctly, there are tools that make checking your service’s performance easy.

You can find out your IP address and location by using whatismyipaddress.com. Compare the IP address and location when you’re connected with and without a VPN. If they are different, then your VPN is doing its job.

It’s possible that your VPN is leaking your data and potentially exposing your online activity. You can run tests on a site like DNS Leak Test to ensure your VPN has no issues with DNS leaks or IP leaks. Plenty of tools allow you to test for leaks, but VPN providers own many, and it may not always be clear who developed the tool, which could be a conflict of interest. You may want to run tests using different sites and compare the results.

If you’re traveling or using the internet in a public place like a coffee shop, data encryption is critical. Most public Wi-Fi hotspots are open and unencrypted, and this means anyone on the network can see what you send and may be able to eavesdrop on your activities or steal passwords.

If you’re connecting to an existing corporate virtual private network, you may not need an additional service. MacOS comes with built-in native VPN support, although most consumers won’t need to adjust these settings.

If you do, head over to System Settings, then the Network tab, and either import the configuration file you were provided or hit the plus button and add a VPN interface. Here’s a handy tip sheet from Apple that will walk you through the process.

If you’re connecting to an established corporate VPN, all you need to do is add a new Windows VPN connection. Click the Start button, type settings, then select Settings, Network & Internet, VPN, and then Add VPN. Make sure you have the connection details provided by your work, and then click on “Add a New VPN Connection.” Fill in the form and you’re good to go. Here’s a tip sheet from Microsoft with more information.

Windows also allows you to host a VPN server by creating a new incoming network connection, choosing the users who can connect, and telling Windows that the incoming connection is across the internet. You’ll also have to configure your router to allow traffic to your computer.

WireGuard is Linux’s baked-in VPN capability. Its code is relatively simple and small, making it far easier to maintain, test, and debug.

So, what do you need to set up WireGuard? Most VPNs we spotlighted support WireGuard right out of the box. You can download it for Linux. You can also download a package for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and FreeBSD. It’s like most open-source products in that you’ll need to do some reading and thinking to make it work.

Apple announced support for third-party VPNs on tvOS in 2023. Since then, many top VPN providers have developed native apps for tvOS. VPNs with native Apple TV support include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

Check out our guide below for the best tvOS-supporting VPN options in the market today.

It probably isn’t worth it to invest in a VPN purely for use with your TV. You’ll find that only some TV operating systems natively support VPN apps, whereas others — such as Tizen — do not, which means you will have to find a workaround, such as installing a VPN on your router or Amazon TV Firestick.

That said, if you want to use a VPN to access different streaming service libraries, a VPN provides the means to do so. This is a legally gray area, and you may only be able to access universally licensed content if VPN use is detected.

Also: The best smart TV VPNs of 2025: Expert tested

We’ve highlighted paid services in this article, although some offer a free tier or a money-back guarantee during a trial period (check out our picks for the best VPN free trials.) In general, we don’t recommend most entirely free VPN services because they may not be secure.

Operating a good VPN service requires hundreds of servers worldwide and vast networking resources. If you’re not paying to support that infrastructure, who is? Probably advertisers or data miners. If you use a free service, your data will probably be sold. You wouldn’t want your data to go to some company to sift through — it completely defeats the purpose of a VPN.

Before you choose a VPN service, free or paid, know that no single tool can guarantee your privacy. Anything can be compromised. A VPN protects your data from your computer to the VPN service. It doesn’t protect what you put on servers. It doesn’t protect your data from the VPN provider’s VPN servers to whatever site or cloud-based application you use. Privacy and security require you to be diligent throughout your digital journey, and VPNs, while helpful, are not a miracle cure.

That said, if you would like to explore free options, we have compiled a guide of the best free VPNs available.

A VPN’s cost can vary depending on your needs. Basic plans are often priced at a few dollars per month, but pricing structures are often displayed as monthly equivalents, so you may have to pay upfront for the full contract at sign-up. Tax may also be added. If you need a specialized VPN, such as one able to circumvent blocks in countries like China, expect to pay more.

If it’s your data, and you want it to be secure, yes. The same choices are valid regardless of what kind of device you use to transmit and receive data over the internet.

Also: The best mobile VPNs

Yes, in most countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and the majority of Europe. In some countries, VPNs are illegal, or severely discouraged and limited to state-approved software.

At the moment, countries including North Korea, Iraq, and Belarus have reportedly banned the use of VPNs entirely. As noted in NordVPN’s country guide, others — like China, Russia, and Egypt — discourage VPN use and try to stop new adoption by demonizing VPNs as software widely used for criminal activity.

Workarounds do exist, but they may come with risks.

We recommend that you do, as a VPN provides a blanket layer of protection for your online activities. If speed loss is problematic during some activities — such as gaming — at least use one during sensitive activities, such as accessing financial accounts. You should also always use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Some do, so check when you sign up. For non-free plans, none of the providers we recommended limit the amount of data you can use. Some will limit how many devices you can use at once– although, for paid plans, VPN providers tend to offer more connections than you will need.

As a general rule of thumb, free or trial offerings tend to restrict usage, speed, and/or the number of devices you can connect to the VPN, with access and speed increased for paying customers.

Logging is the recording of data about your usage, and it occurs everywhere. Every website, at minimum, records an IP address, time, and data accessed so they can track traffic. All VPN providers have to check credentials against recorded personal data to make sure you paid, but some let you sign up with Bitcoin, allowing you to hide your identity.

When we say a VPN doesn’t log data, we mean they don’t track which sites you visit and for how long, but they may track how much of their infrastructure you use.

Let’s say you’re surfing online and suddenly your VPN connection fails. Your phone or computer will likely immediately try to reconnect and do so directly without going through a VPN. All of a sudden, your data is unprotected.

A kill switch is a feature in your device’s VPN app that detects when a connection fails and immediately shuts down network access. Like with everything, it’s not a 100% perfect solution, but these days, we wouldn’t recommend using a VPN that doesn’t offer a kill switch.

When you have multiple devices — such as a tablet, a laptop, and a smartphone — and you are using these devices for different tasks, you still want to keep your data and connections secure on each machine.

When you have enabled the VPN on more than one device at the same time, you are using simultaneous connections. It’s always best to have this feature in a VPN to ensure your privacy isn’t accidentally compromised through one device or another.

Using a VPN can often slow down your connection. That’s because your data is encrypted, decrypted, and sent through intermediate servers. Game responsiveness might suffer, for example, or you may notice your streaming service doesn’t load as fast as usual.

With many high-quality VPNs now available, however, the negative impact is often unnoticeable, unless there is a problem with the VPN server you connect to. To fix this, try a server in a different location and see if that improves your connection.

If you’ve been shopping for a VPN service, you’ve undoubtedly come across a bunch of names like SSL, OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, PPP, PPTP, IKEv2/IPSec, and SOCKS5. These are all communication protocols. They are, essentially, the name of the method by which your communication is encrypted and packaged for tunneling to the VPN provider.

To be honest, while VPN enthusiasts can argue over protocols for hours, it’s probably good enough to use the default setup from your provider.

You should avoid VPNs without a long-term customer base or strong customer feedback. Shady VPNs may offer you free services, but they may store or sell your information in return. You should also avoid VPN providers with known security problems and a lack of transparency around resolving them.

VPN providers often join in during sales events and offer holiday promotions, reducing the price of a subscription by a few dollars or more. However, the price will often jump after your promotional period ends — whether this is for an annual plan or a two-year contract. Remember to watch when your subscription ends to avoid costly renewal payments. It might be better to turn off auto-renewal and then sign back up.

Typically, VPN providers model their pricing on a monthly basis, but you may have to pay for your contract upfront when you make your purchase. For example, a VPN available for $2 per month will likely equate to $24 upfront on a yearly contract, plus tax. One of the only exceptions in the market at the moment is Mullvad, which offers a month-by-month price.

You enjoy the best discounts when signing up for longer terms. Two years is usually the longest term you can sign up for, although some VPN providers offer five-year subscriptions.

A VPN encrypts your traffic. This means the websites you visit and your online communication, as well as your original IP address. However, a VPN may not be able to hide that you are using a VPN, nor does it hide your device’s physical details or information you may submit to a service, such as when you make a financial transaction.